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http://tinyurl.com/ypzfq7IZMIR, Turkey -- Choking the highways and crammed onto ferries, hundreds of thousands of Turks streamed into this port city on Sunday in an enormous show of opposition to the pro-Islamic ruling party, increasing pressure on the government ahead of early elections.
About 1.5 million protesters carried anti-government banners, red-and-white Turkish flags and pictures of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who founded the secular republic in 1923. Turkish flags hung from balconies and windows, as well as buses and fishing boats and yachts bobbing in Izmir's bay.
"I am here to defend my country," said Yuksel Uysal, a teacher. "I am here to defend Ataturk's revolution."
My first trip to Turkey was in 1986, my last 1999. Both times I was struck by the beauty of the people, their fears of regional strife (Kurds, Greeks, and Wahabi-ists trying to undermine their secular government) and their adoration of Ataturk, the man who strong-armed his way into leadership, then strong-armed his different tribes and groups into a nation. In most Istanbul museums, every clock remains stopped at the hour and minute that Ataturk died.
Even though some took strong objection to his techniques, the vast majority of Turks thought that he did the right thing, at the right time, in difficult circumstances. There is no question that he created a modern nation, a secular one.
This is a proud, strong country, with a strong sense of identity. They cherish their history and much as they cherish their future. It is no surprise that a group of imams trying to change their country into a muslim nation are viewed as a serious risk.
It is refreshing to see a nation stand up to leaders who wish to use religion as a bludgeon. If only America had the same wherewithal to do the same in their country.
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